- NAC Freelance
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NAC-1 (BN-3) Freelance 
The prototype NAC-1 Freelance 180 at Coventry airport, England, in June 2003 Role Four-seat monoplane National origin United Kingdom Manufacturer Britten-Norman
NDN Aircraft
Norman Aircraft CompanyDesigner Desmond Norman First flight 17 May 1969 (BN-3)
29 September 1984 (NAC-1)[1]Status operational in 2003, now stored Number built 1 The NAC-1 Freelance originally the BN-3 Nymph is a British four-seat touring monoplane.
Contents
Development
Designed by Desmond Norman when with Britten-Norman the BN-3 Nymph was an all-metal high-wing braced monoplane powered by a 115hp Lycoming O-235 engine. It was designed to allow it to be assembled in under-developed countries which would build the aircraft under a technology transfer scheme.
With the demise of the original Britten-Norman company, Norman took the design with him to his new company NDN Aircraft. NDN planned to build and sell the Nymph with a lengthened cabin as the NAC-1 Freelance. The Nymph was reworked as the prototype Freelance and first flew in that configuration on 29 September 1984.[2] In 1985 NDN Aircraft was renamed the Norman Aircraft Company (NAC) and components and fuselage sections for six aircraft were built. Following the failure of the company to win a military order with the NDN Firecracker military trainer the company was closed down.
Specifications (BN-3)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (pilot)
- Capacity: 1 (passenger)
- Length: 23 ft 6 in (7.18 m)
- Wingspan: 39 ft 4 in (12.00 m)
- Empty weight: 1140 lb (517 kg)
- Gross weight: 1825 lb (828 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235-C1B, 115 hp (86 kW)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 113 mph (181 km/h)
- Range: 500 miles (805 km)
References
- Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- Jackson, A.J. (1973). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10006 9.
External links
Photo of the sole Norman NAC-2 Freelance 180
Britten-Norman and NDN/NAC aircraft Britten-Norman Britten-Norman BN-1 • BN-2 Islander • Defender • Nymph • Sheriff • Trislander
NDN/NAC Fieldmaster • Firecracker • Freelance
Key people John Britten • Desmond Norman
Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- British civil utility aircraft 1960–1969
- Britten-Norman aircraft
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